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1 Newsletter of The Port St. Lucie Orchid Society January 2018 Volume XXIX Issue 5 Editor: Anne Menassian amorchidnews@gmail.com Tel: (772) Editorial Assistant: Karen Rutkowski karenrutkowski1@gmail.com Tel: (772) Visit us on the Web at: Join our Facebook group! President s Message Wasn t the Christmas party fun? Thanks again to Hellen Wagner for organizing this yearly event. In 2002 Laurie Hart was asked to write the culture article for our newsletter. We have all learned from her research and expertise. Laurie wants to step back from this obligation and June will be her last contribution. We will need someone else to step up and take over for her. Any volunteers? Thank you Laurie for all that you have done for this organization! Before you know it February 17 and 18 will be here Port St. Lucie Orchid Society 2018 Orchid Show. The theme is ORCHIDS ARE FOR LOVERS - with a new date and venue. We need everybody to volunteer and participate in some way to make it a success. Claudia Young, our show chair, has been working hard setting the ground work. Our January meeting will demonstrate all the different ways you can help. Find something that interests you and jump in with both feet! Also, don t forget that we will be voting on the by-laws change that will change the fiscal year of the society from July-June to Jan- Dec. (see notice on page 5) Something about the beginning of a new year wants me to be better and make it count. I resolve to stay positive and happy. Let s make this year the best ever! Your President, Dana DeMarco Port St. Lucie Orchid Society Officers and Volunteers President Dana DeMarco Vice President Jamie Lawson 2 nd Vice President Nan Rothschild Recording Secretary Diana Lenartiene Corresponding Secretary Carol Farmer Treasurer Stu Schechter Membership Lillian Cruz Membership Apprentice Darla Carter Trustee Jessica Benford 2020 Ena Vilabrera 2018 Barbara Lynn 2019 Show Chairperson Claudia Young Picnic, Christmas Party & Bus Trip Hellen Wagner Food Dorothy Moore Newsletter Anne Menassian Orchid Exchange Maureen Kerr Membership Corner Chairperson Lillian Cruz DUES FOR 2018 are now due Annual dues are $20 individual, $25 family Please remember to wear your name tags at meetings! If you are interested in becoming a member, lillynabel@yahoo.com or call (772) Tasks for January Spray for mites; spray again in 7-10 days Flush excess fertilizer salts from Cattleyas and other sympodials Reduce watering, and water early in the day (per Dr. Martin Motes monthly newsletter and book, Florida Orchid Growing Month by Month)

2 Dave Moody and Lee Stradley David Moody and I started growing orchids around 35 years ago. I came home with a Phalaenopsis from the Philadelphia flower show and found it thrived in our eastern window. We soon had a full table and before we knew it we had bought a new house, put up a greenhouse, and opened a business to support our orchid addiction. Through our business, Fernwood Manor Orchids, we sold at all of the shows along the northeast seacoast, along with the world-famous New York City show at the Winter Gardens where the World Trade Center used to stand. We had a lot of fun for 10 years growing and buying plants until we had a freeze and lost everything. We grew a few in the house after that until we moved to Florida. Suddenly we found ourselves beginners again as it is totally different growing orchids outside. We found that Vandas and mounted orchids do the best for us since we are gone six months out of the year. David likes tinkering with them all the time while we re here; he s always taking one down and soaking the roots in water and/or fertilizer. We keep Spanish moss hanging among them to help shade them a little bit. Our courtyard is also surrounded by palms which adds a little bit of shade (except during the noon day sun). We found that the natural dust in the air, pollen, leaf debris, carbon monoxide, and other pollutants are all giving nutrients to our orchids every day. I m sure we fertilize much more than is necessary. We generally water during the day and let them dry off by night. Dave sometimes mists them numerous times a day if it s hot and dry. We also hooked up a sprinkler system that uses lake water for when we are gone. Some of our mounted orchids are attached to the palm trees in such a way that takes advantage of water that drips off the palms. Under our conditions we always have something in bloom and the Vandas can bloom for us up to 3 times a year. We look forward to hearing how all of you grow your plants.

3 Annual Holiday Luncheon December 05, 2017 Ask Dr Laurie It is that time of year when we celebrate friends and family and what better way to make others happy than by giving them an orchid? My recommendation is to purchase an orchid that is in bloom and has several buds that still need to open. I believe that the easiest orchids to grow successfully are dendrobiums. In the gift package with the dendrobium, you should include some orchid fertilizer and a written description of the orchid s cultural needs. You can find a wide array of care sheets for all types of orchids for download at the American Orchid Society website. Find the appropriate dendrobium care sheet and print it out. Treat yourself and purchase one for your own collection too. I know poinsettias are thought to be the plant for the holidays but I believe the dendrobium is a better choice. It will give you pleasure all year long. I wish all of you a wonderful holiday full of love and laughter. Laurie Hart

4 PORT ST LUCIE ORCHID SOCIETY 2018 ORCHID SHOW In previous years we had several very generous members who donated $30.00 each to sponsor a trophy for the show. We have 24 trophies to award and I am appealing to your generosity. We also need raffle prizes. Please ask the businesses you frequent for a gift certificate or a gift basket. It is an opportunity for a business to get exposure to the community, and they might get new customers. You might mention that we are non profit and we offer scholarships to deserving high school seniors. We also maintain the orchid garden at the Botanical Gardens and we open our monthly meetings to guests and run classes that are free to the public. If you have questions, please contact me (Claudia Young ). I am counting on you. Still looking for many more volunteers. Please come to the January meeting and sign up. We can't do it without the help of all the members. I will bring flyers to the meeting and ask you to please distribute them where ever you can. Get ready to make the 2018 show the biggest and best ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Claudia Young, Chairwoman, PSLOS 2018 Orchid Show January Monthly Meeting Program January 9, 2018 Noon Early Class: Nan Rothchild Don t miss this presentation by Nan Rothschild on ORCHI- ATA. This sustainable growing medium is preferred by award winning growers worldwide and is approved by the American Orchid Society. Come find out why. Nan will have a slide presentation and product samples to show us. 1 pm General Meeting: Claudia Young Topic: The PSLOS Orchid Show: Orchids are for Lovers Several members will describe the various ways that you can participate in the annual orchid show in February. Demonstrations will be given. Also, don t forget that the remainder of Viivi Frigola s orchid collection will be available for purchase at the meeting...cheap!! PSLOS Member Volunteers at the 2017 PSLOS Orchid Show

5 Coming Events January 2018 Blooming in the PSL Botanical Gardens Orchid Room January 6-7 January 9 January January 16 Sarasota Orchid Society Annual Show Sarasota Municipal Auditorium 801 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL PSLOS January General Meeting Miami Orchid Society's "Tamiami International Orchid Festival" Dade County Fairgrounds Expo Center Coral Way (SW 24 St.) Miami, FL PSLOS Executive Board Meeting January Fort Lauderdale Orchid Show War Memorial Auditorium 800 NE 8th ST Fort Lauderdale, FL Important Notice Your Executive Board is suggesting a change in our bylaws regarding the fiscal year. As it stands now Article XI Fiscal Year The fiscal year of the Society shall run from July 1 st through June 30 th, at which time the Treasurer s records shall be audited. For ease in record-keeping the board is suggesting The fiscal year of the Society shall run from January 1 st through December 31 st, at which time the Treasurer s records shall be audited. These bylaws may be amended at any general membership meeting by a two thirds vote of those present, provided that any amendment(s) have been presented in advance and in writing to all active members for review. What does this mean? EVERYBODY will have 2018 membership dues due in January. We are not increasing dues and there will be no proration of dues paid. It would be confusing, time consuming and pointless - we are not talking about a lot of money. This change will make the book keeping easier for the members and the membership chairman. We can discuss your concerns and opinions at the January meeting before the vote. Photos by Anne Menassian Robinson s Collection Orchids & other Exotic Plants Vivian (Robbie) & Barbara Robinson Port St. Lucie (772) Join us for Monthly Meetings September June General Meeting 2nd Tuesday of the month, 1 PM Port Saint Lucie Botanical Garden Speakers, Classes, Show and Tell, Raffles, Orchid Exchange, Refreshments and more Board Meeting 3rd Tuesday of the month, 12:30 PM PSL Police Station, PSL Municipal Complex, corner of Airoso Blvd. and Port St. Lucie Blvd. All members are welcome at Board Meetings.